MERS-CoV: efforts to unravel the mystery continued throughout 2013
In 2013, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean continued its efforts to improve public health preparedness to effectively respond to the outbreak caused by MERS-CoV which has killed over half of the cases reported so far. Although most cases confirmed so far in the Region have been sporadic with an unknown source of infection, human-to-human transmission has been reported in health care and household settings. However, as the source of infection and mode of disease transmission remained largely unknown, the collaborative efforts of the Regional Office continued with health authorities of affected countries and other international health agencies resulting in a steady increase in knowledge on the evolution of this novel virus, as well as improved surveillance for early detection, prevention and rapid control of any sign that the virus was evolving into the cause of an another international public health emergency.
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A group photo of the participants of the first WHO consultative meeting on the origin and transmission of MERS-CoV, held in January 2013 at the WHO Regional Office in Cairoevolving global health threat
A group photo of the participants of the first WHO consultative meeting on the origin and transmission of MERS-CoV, held in January 2013 at the WHO Regional Office in Cairoevolving global health threat
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Cover of the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal’s special supplement on MERS-CoV published in May 2013
Cover of the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal’s special supplement on MERS-CoV published in May 2013
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Ministry of Health officials from countries of the Region and the WHO secretariat meet at the WHO Regional Office in June 2013 to discuss urgent measures to control novel coronavirus infection
Ministry of Health officials from countries of the Region and the WHO secretariat meet at the WHO Regional Office in June 2013 to discuss urgent measures to control novel coronavirus infection
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Members of the WHO technical mission to Saudi Arabia in June 2013 meet with Saudi health officials to discuss their findings
Members of the WHO technical mission to Saudi Arabia in June 2013 meet with Saudi health officials to discuss their findings
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Laboratory personnel receive training between July and September 2013 on laboratory diagnosis in an effort to improve detection through enhanced laboratory testing and diagnostic capacity
Laboratory personnel receive training between July and September 2013 on laboratory diagnosis in an effort to improve detection through enhanced laboratory testing and diagnostic capacity
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Health officials take samples from a dromedary camel in October 2013 as first direct evidence emerges of the virus being linked to camels
Health officials take samples from a dromedary camel in October 2013 as first direct evidence emerges of the virus being linked to camels
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Thousands of pilgrims on the hajj of October 2013 (1434 H) head towards Makkah
Thousands of pilgrims on the hajj of October 2013 (1434 H) head towards Makkah
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Participants of WHO’s third consultative meeting on MERS-CoV, held at the WHO Regional Office in December 2013, discuss the public health research agenda for MERS-CoV to identify the source of human infection, as well as routes of transmission, unknown since the virus emerged in 2012
Participants of WHO’s third consultative meeting on MERS-CoV, held at the WHO Regional Office in December 2013, discuss the public health research agenda for MERS-CoV to identify the source of human infection, as well as routes of transmission, unknown since the virus emerged in 2012
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